Lois "Loi" Olian, beloved sister of Victoria Betz and Lester Olian, sister-in-law of Jack Betz, and cousin and friend of many others, departed this earth unexpectedly on Friday, December 18, 2009, at her home in Lompoc, CA.

She was born November 26, 1943, in St. Louis, Missouri, daughter of Marjorie and Lester Olian, who have preceded her in death. Lois spend her childhood with her siblings attending school in St. Louis and Jefferson County, MO, and enjoying carefree summers with many cousins on her uncle's farm in northern Missouri. She enjoyed sharing with friends the joy of those summers, and of close relationships with her caring and extended family.

Lois graduated with a BA degree in art from Southern Illinois University, and an MFA degree from Southern University of New York, Albany. She was a gifted and award-winning artist who exhibited her work in galleries in Albany and New York City. In recent years Lois continued her artistic expression by creating beautiful collage pictures and custom-designed jewelry which she enjoyed giving to family and friends.

Moving to Santa Barbara, CA, in 1991 opened a new world for Lois. She received her C.N.A. degree from Santa Barbara City College and discovered another God-given talent in caring for the elderly. Her life thereafter was dedicated to caring for frail elderly people, who adored Loi's care, her whimsical sense of humor, and her spirit of creative playfulness.

Lois was a gentle, compassionate, intelligent and multi-talented woman who used her creativity in many ways. She always surrounded herself with beauty, in her artistic creations, fabrics, and photographs of family and friends. Lois had a gift for making and sustaining deep, long-lasting friendships. Her deep Christian faith and trust in our Lord Jesus was quietly expressed in Lois's life and in some of her writings. Her family and friends deeply grieve her passing on, while commending her in faith to her home in heaven.

A memorial service is to be held on Wednesday, December 23, at 11:00 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, 135 South E Street in Lompoc. Please come to honor Lois and remember her as she was in this life: a forgiving and generous woman of love and faith. We love you and will miss you, Loi.

If you wish, you may make a donation in her memory to First Lutheran Church, 24512 Fifth Ave., Florala, Alabama, 36442.